Yanbaru Hotel Nanmeishinshitsu

Yanbaru Hotel Nanmeishinshitsu in the northern part of Okinawa main island is a lovely inn. It consists of detached villas scattered in an old village with over 400 years of history, allowing you to experience traditional Okinawan life. Local guides called 'Sherpas' will guide you through the village and teach you about the local history, providing a deep understanding of Okinawa. About 20 cultural experiences are also available, such as cooking Okinawan dishes with local mothers and learning traditional fishing methods, allowing you to feel the Okinawan way of life firsthand. The accommodation itself is designed to harmonize with the surrounding natural environment, allowing you to fully enjoy the beautiful forests, sea, and starry sky. Furthermore, a special tour called 'The ESSENCE of BLUE ZONE' is offered, allowing you to experience the secrets of Okinawa, known worldwide as a longevity 'Blue Zone'.

Treeful Treehouse

Treeful Treehouse Sustainable Resort in the Yanbaru forest of Nago City, Okinawa, is Japan's only treehouse resort. Based on the concept of 'coexistence with nature,' it is a special accommodation facility working towards the realization of a sustainable world. Located in the rich Yanbaru forest, guests can experience nature through their five senses. The treehouses are built 1.2 meters above the ground, designed with consideration not to damage the forest ecosystem. The 'Trophy Treehouse' within the facility is inspired by traditional Japanese tea rooms, featuring tatami mats and futons, while also being designed to enjoy Okinawa's beautiful starry sky. Tradition and modern comfort are beautifully fused. Sustainability efforts are thorough; all electricity within the facility is supplied by renewable energy, reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Consideration for the environment is evident everywhere, such as using well water sterilized with UV light. Meals feature local Okinawan ingredients, offering special dining experiences in nature, such as bonfire dinners. During your stay, you can also enjoy various activities to experience Okinawa's nature and culture, such as waterfall sauna experiences and forest bathing river trekking. This inn is especially recommended for those who want to experience a life in harmony with nature and desire environmentally conscious travel. It is a special place where you can deeply experience Okinawa's nature, culture, and traditions.

Nakijin Tsuwabuki

Let me introduce a wonderful inn in Okinawa called 'Nakijin Tsuwabuki'. Located in a quiet environment surrounded by forest, this inn offers a private space limited to one group per day. It consists of multiple buildings, each designed by various creators such as potters and architects. It's a space where Okinawan tradition and modern design are beautifully fused. The detailed craftsmanship of local artisans shines through, using items like lacquerware from the 'Mokushikko Tokeshi' workshop. Experiencing traditional Okinawan crafts through practical use is one of its charms. For breakfast, you can enjoy rice cooked in a traditional kamado stove and dishes made with island vegetables. Dinner plans are also available, allowing you to fully enjoy Okinawa's rich food culture. What's truly wonderful is the harmony between the buildings scattered in the forest and nature. Spending time feeling the scenery and sounds of the seasons is exceptional. I think it's the perfect inn for those who want to get away from everyday life and refresh their mind and body. It's a special place where you can deeply experience Okinawan culture and nature.

Ao to Heki to Shiro to Okinawa

'Ao to Heki to Shiro to Okinawa' in Maeda, Onna Village, Okinawa, is a luxurious inn limited to just three rooms per day. The design by architect Hiroshi Nakamura is wonderful, featuring an entrance inspired by the traditional Okinawan worship hall 'Kami Ashagi' and Japanese-modern guest rooms equipped with 'Kazetsuki' (wind chimneys) reaching up to 8 meters high. For breakfast, you can enjoy 'ichiju sansai' (one soup, three dishes) using fresh island vegetables grown on Okinawan soil. The simple yet carefully prepared dishes offer a special taste of seasonal blessings. A highlight is the 'Ryukyu Herb Steaming' experience. Using ceramic seats made from Okinawan soil, it's a treatment where you warm up from the inside while enveloped in the scent of Ryukyu herbs for about 40 minutes. It becomes a precious time to heal daily fatigue and connect with yourself. Around the inn spreads Okinawa's blue sky, azure sea, and white sandy beaches, and you can enjoy beautiful sunsets from the second-floor terrace. It is a special inn where nature, tradition, and modern design are beautifully harmonized, allowing for both mental and physical refreshment. I think it's perfect for those who want to quietly enjoy Okinawa's rich nature and culture.

Tenku: Forest in the Sky

'Tenku: Forest in the Sky' in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, is truly a special inn. On a vast site of about 60 hectares (about 13 Tokyo Domes!), only five villas are scattered. Each villa is completely independent, allowing you to spend private time without encountering other guests. The villa design modernly expresses the Japanese aesthetic of 'wabi-sabi', creating simple yet sophisticated spaces. Each villa has an open-air bath with free-flowing hot spring water, allowing you to fully enjoy Japanese onsen culture. Local materials and craftsmanship shine in the architecture and interior. Japanese design elements are incorporated throughout, such as ceiling beams utilizing the expression of wood and Kyoto tatami mats. Meals use fresh ingredients like organic vegetables grown in the on-site garden, local Silkie chickens, and Satsuma Jidori chickens. Dishes valuing the seasonal flavors allow you to deeply savor the regional food culture. Located on a hill overlooking the Kirishima mountain range, breathtaking seasonal views unfold. From the wood deck or open-air bath, you can feel the transitions of nature, such as sunrise, sunset, and the starry sky. This inn, valuing Japanese culture, traditions, and coexistence with nature, is perfect for those seeking true luxury. It's a special place where you can experience heartfelt relaxation and healing.

YUUNA -Yuina-

'YUUNA -Yuina-' in Tokunoshima Town, Kagoshima Prefecture, is a lovely inn located in Satoku Beach Park. It consists of five private villas, all detached and offering ocean views. Each villa also comes with a private sauna. Each villa features paintings by artists living on Tokunoshima, allowing guests to experience local culture and art. The facilities are luxurious, with living areas featuring comfortable bare-foot Yakushima cedar flooring and abundant use of Kagoshima timber. Bedrooms are equipped with custom-made 'IWATA Larkowl®' mattresses using high-quality natural fibers, promising a restful sleep. Each villa has a fully equipped kitchen and cooking utensils, allowing for self-catering using local ingredients. Optional barbecue sets featuring Tokunoshima black beef, island pork, and fresh vegetables are also available. Opening the windows fully integrates the living room with the outside scenery, allowing relaxation while feeling the pleasant sea breeze and the sound of waves. Beach access is good, and experiences to enjoy Tokunoshima's rich nature, such as marine activities and eco-tours, are also prepared. I highly recommend this inn for those who want to enjoy the nature and culture of Tokunoshima while valuing privacy.

Denpaku

'Denpaku' in the Amami Islands is a very interesting accommodation facility. Spanning Amami Oshima, Kakeroma Island, Tokunoshima, and others, it's a project that revives traditional regional buildings as accommodation facilities. Each facility has unique characteristics while valuing local culture and history. For example, the 'Inn with an Observatory' on Tokunoshima is located on a cliff with a superb view, offering a panoramic vista of the beautiful coastline and horizon. Each accommodation facility is designed with meticulous consideration to harmonize with the surrounding natural environment, respecting the local climate and landscape. Therefore, during your stay, you can spend time feeling the local nature and culture firsthand. Furthermore, meals utilizing local ingredients and traditional experience programs are offered. This allows you to feel a deep connection with the region that cannot be experienced through ordinary tourism. A stay at 'Denpaku' goes beyond a simple accommodation experience, becoming a valuable opportunity to experience the rich culture, history, and nature of the Amami Islands. It is recommended for those who want to deeply explore the charm of the region.

guntû

Based in Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, 'guntû' is a small accommodation-type passenger ship that cruises the Seto Inland Sea. It offers a special voyage with only 17 all-suite rooms with terraces on its 81.2-meter hull. The name 'guntû' is a Bingo regional dialect word for a small stone crab inhabiting the Seto Inland Sea. It embodies the wish to become a presence cherished by local people. The ship's design is by architect Yasushi Horibe, with the upper hull inspired by the gabled roofs seen in Setouchi villages. The interior is a warm space using plenty of wood, with a simple yet sophisticated design that harmonizes beautifully with the Setouchi scenery. Dining is also special, based on the concept of 'Whatever you like, as much as you like,' offering various menus including Japanese cuisine, sushi, and Western dishes. The main dining is supervised by Kenzō Satō of Tokyo's established kappo restaurant 'Shigeyoshi,' and the sushi counter features sushi supervised by Kōsei Sakamoto of Awaji Island's 'Wataru.' The ship cruises the Seto Inland Sea at a leisurely speed of about 9-18 km/h, roughly the pace of cycling. Without rushing or hurrying, you can fully enjoy the serene sea and the beautiful scenery of the islands changing with the seasons. A voyage on 'guntû' is a luxurious experience, offering a special time enveloped in the rich nature and culture of the Seto Inland Sea, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It is a special inn highly recommended for those seeking heartfelt relaxation.

Takyo Abeke

'Takyo Abeke' at the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine in Ota City, Shimane Prefecture, is a truly special inn. It is an accommodation facility carefully regenerated over 10 years by the owner, Tomi Matsuba, while living in the 230-year-old samurai residence. The name 'Takyo' holds deep meaning derived from the Chinese phrase 'Takyo gukochi,' signifying 'the joy of being welcomed in a foreign land as if it were one's own hometown, the preciousness of connection.' Inside, historical folk tools stand with the dignity of current use, conveying the beauty of traditional Japanese life. Ingenuity in preserving old items is wonderful, such as a large dining table repurposed from the wainscoting of a closed elementary school's staircase and furniture using trolley rails for legs. Meals are home-style cooking utilizing fresh seasonal ingredients harvested locally. You can savor the region's rich ingredients like locally grown rice balls, nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch), Shimane wagyu beef, and rock oysters from the Oki Islands. Thoughtful touches, like flowers picked from the garden in the morning adorning the chopstick rests, are delightful. Experiences integrating with nature are also appealing, such as opening all the fixtures in summer to bathe while listening to the river's murmur. It's also interesting that each room, like the Western-style room converted from an earth storehouse, has a different character. It is a special inn where you can deeply experience traditional Japanese life and culture. I think it's perfect for those who want to truly relax and feel the slow passage of time.

Rakudoan

'Rakudoan' in the Sankyoson (scattered settlement) of Tonami City, Toyama Prefecture, is a lovely inn with three rooms, renovated from a 200-year-old traditional 'Azumadachi' style folk house. Located in a beautiful environment surrounded on three sides by rice paddies, it is a special place where you can feel the 'Dotoku of Toyama' (local virtue/character) through mingei (folk craft), art, local food culture, and various experience programs. 'Dotoku' is a word representing the dignity created jointly by people and nature, and you can experience this spiritual climate at this inn. It's also wonderful that a portion of the accommodation fee is used as a fund for Sankyoson conservation activities, contributing to the maintenance of the region's traditional landscape. Guest rooms are carefully appointed with ancient Japanese natural materials such as earth, wood, washi paper, and silk. Mingei crafts and contemporary art are harmoniously displayed throughout the building, allowing you to feel the local craftsmanship and artistry. The on-site boutique sells local crafts and ingredients, providing ample opportunities to engage with Toyama's traditional crafts and food culture. The restaurant 'Il Clima' serves dishes using rich ingredients from Toyama's sea, mountains, and villages. The menu changes daily, offering creative dishes that utilize seafood from Toyama Bay and the wisdom of local cuisine. Being surrounded by rice paddies on three sides, you can enjoy beautiful rural landscapes throughout the seasons. 'Regenerative Activities' that allow you to experience local traditional culture, livelihoods, festivals, and spirituality are also offered, enabling you to experience coexistence with nature. It is a special inn where you can deeply feel Toyama's culture, traditions, and harmony with nature. Recommended for those who want to refresh their mind and body away from daily life.

Bed and Craft

'Bed and Craft' in Inami, Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture, is a very unique accommodation facility. It treats the entire town of Inami, known as one of Japan's leading wood carving towns, as a hotel, allowing guests to deeply experience the local culture and traditions by visiting the scattered detached accommodations, workshops, and restaurants. This area has a tradition of wood carving with as many as 80 workshops lining the streets, and 'Bed and Craft' allows guests to feel this traditional culture firsthand through their stay. Each accommodation building is decorated by local artisans and artists, offering a special experience akin to staying in a gallery. The most distinctive feature is the optional 'apprenticeship' experience under an artisan. Over three hours, you can create your own work using the same tools and techniques as the artisan. It's a valuable opportunity to experience the joy of creation and directly encounter the artisan's skills and passion. Each accommodation building is a detached rental equipped with a kitchen, bath, washing machine, and other appliances, allowing for a travel experience like living there. Partner restaurants and plans with workshops are also available, allowing you to enjoy local ingredients and cuisine. The town of Inami has a beautiful landscape where history and nature harmonize, and you can feel the local climate and seasonal changes while strolling through the town from your accommodation. It is a special inn recommended for those interested in traditional crafts or who want to deeply experience local culture through craftsmanship.

Zentokuji Moritosha

'Moritosha' in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture, is a special accommodation facility located within the grounds of the renowned Johana Betsuin Zentokuji Temple, which boasts a history of 550 years. It is a renovated and regenerated building originally designed by Keiichi Yasukawa, a woodworker and architect who was a beloved disciple of Soetsu Yanagi, as Zentokuji's training hall, with the second floor serving as a hotel and the first floor as a lecture hall, cafe, and shop. This facility was established as a place to experience the 'Mingei' (folk craft) philosophy advocated by Soetsu Yanagi and the spiritual climate of 'Dotoku' (local virtue/character) he discovered in Toyama. In fact, Soetsu Yanagi has a historical connection to this Zentokuji temple, having written his culminating work on Mingei thought, 'The Dharma Gate of Beauty,' during his stay here. Mingei items are displayed throughout the building like in a museum, allowing guests to feel the traditional Japanese aesthetic sense and the charm of handwork. The entire building is designed and decorated based on Mingei principles, creating a simple yet warm space. Guest rooms and common areas feature handcrafted furniture and furnishings by local artisans, beautifully fusing traditional techniques with modern design. The cafe on the first floor serves simple and flavorful dishes utilizing local ingredients. The shop offers beautiful items that complement daily life, such as regional crafts and foods, providing opportunities to engage with the local food culture and handwork. Being located within the Zentokuji temple grounds, enjoying the seasonal nature is also a charm. 'Regenerative Activities' that allow contact with local traditional culture, livelihoods, festivals, etc., are also offered, enabling a deep connection with the region's nature and culture. It is an inn recommended for those interested in Japanese traditional culture and Mingei, or those wishing to refresh mind and body in a quiet environment.

L'évo

'L'évo' in Toga Village, Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture, is a very special auberge. Centered around a restaurant, accommodation buildings and gardens are scattered, creating an attractive atmosphere reminiscent of a village that once existed here. Toga Village is an area where traditional landscapes and untouched nature remain. At L'évo, the local climate and culture are expressed through cuisine and space, conveying the region's charm to visitors. Owner-chef Eiji Taniguchi offers unique dishes using carefully selected local ingredients and free thinking. The furniture and cutlery in the restaurant are unified under 'Made in Toyama,' allowing guests to feel the local craftsmanship throughout. The restaurant offers dishes pursuing true local production for local consumption, allowing guests to enjoy exquisite plates using seasonal vegetables and herbs. Three cottages are scattered within the grounds, enveloped by the valley's nature, allowing guests to spend warm and tranquil time feeling the four seasons of the mountains. It is an inn recommended for those who want to deeply experience Toyama's rich nature and food culture. I think it's a special place to refresh mind and body away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

SAYS FARM

'SAYS FARM,' located on a small hill in Himi City, Toyama Prefecture, is a lovely accommodation facility centered around a winery. In addition to wine brewing, it also operates a restaurant and a detached guesthouse, offering a luxurious experience limited to one group per day. With three bedrooms, it is ideal for stays with family or friends. SAYS FARM practices winemaking that utilizes the rich natural environment and climate of Himi, valuing the local terroir (land characteristics). They handle everything from grape cultivation to brewing in-house, producing high-quality wine. The restaurant 'SAYS KITCHEN' offers locally sourced course meals using fresh fish landed at Himi Fishing Port, herbs grown in their own garden, and eggs from free-range chickens. Guests staying at the accommodation can also purchase ingredients nearby and cook for themselves. The facility has a pleasant design with the warmth of wood and is located on a small hill, offering stunning views of Toyama Bay and the Tateyama Mountain Range. Surrounded by abundant nature, enjoying the beautiful scenery of the four seasons is also a charm. This inn is recommended not only for wine lovers but also for those who want to enjoy Toyama's nature and food in a quiet environment. I think it's a special place to refresh mind and body away from everyday life.

Misenkan/SEN

'Seseragi no Yado Misenkan' in Tenkawa Village, Nara Prefecture, is an inn conveniently located in the center of Tenkawa Village. It is suitable for visitors with various purposes such as sightseeing, mountaineering, and fishing. This inn is surrounded by the Omine mountains, registered as a World Heritage site, and a mystical natural environment. Tenkawa Village is a region deeply rooted in the history and traditions of Shugendo (mountain asceticism), so staying here allows you to feel Japan's spiritual culture and history. The building makes abundant use of local Yoshino cedar and cypress, featuring a space filled with the warmth and fragrance of wood. The skills of local craftsmen beautifully fuse traditional architecture with modern comfort. Meals boast dishes utilizing fresh ingredients harvested locally in Tenkawa Village. You can enjoy the mountain food culture with dishes like botan nabe (wild boar hot pot), local tofu, wild vegetables, konjac, and river fish. The warm dishes, prepared with heart by the proprietress, make you feel a homely warmth. Beautiful clear streams and seasonal nature spread around the inn, and from the guest room decks, you can enjoy fresh air and the sound of the river's murmur. In summer, the cool breeze is pleasant, and in autumn, you can enjoy the scenery colored by autumn leaves. It is an inn recommended for those who want to refresh mind and body while experiencing Nara's nature and culture away from everyday life.

Beniya Mukayu

'Beniya Mukayu' in Yamashiro Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture, is a luxurious ryokan resembling a villa, built around a natural mountain garden. With a lavish scale of only 16 rooms, all guest rooms feature an open-air hot spring bath facing the mountain garden, allowing guests to fully enjoy tranquility and natural beauty. The name 'Mukayu' is a word favored by the Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi, meaning 'nothingness' or 'non-action.' Based on this philosophy, the guest rooms are simply designed and filled with light, valuing the idea that a free and untethered mind exists precisely where there is nothing. The interior design is by architect Kiyoshi Sey Takeyama, and the logotype, pamphlets, and amenity product designs are by designer Kenya Hara, beautifully fusing traditional elements with modern design. Meals feature authentic Kaga cuisine using fresh seafood from Kaga and Noto, Kaga traditional vegetables, duck, and Noto beef. Dishes utilizing seasonal ingredients offer guests a special culinary experience. The ryokan is built surrounding the mountain garden, with an open structure that allows the outside scenery to flow in. From the guest rooms, you can relax in the open-air bath while gazing at the beautiful nature. A library is also available within the building, allowing for reading and meditation in a quiet space. It is a special inn where Japanese tradition and modern sensibility merge, allowing for mental and physical liberation. Recommended for those seeking deep relaxation away from everyday life.

SHIGUCHI

'SHIGUCHI,' located in the beautiful forest of Niseko, Hokkaido, is a special inn with five rooms, relocated and restored from a nearly 150-year-old folk house. Each guest room is equipped with an open-air bath with free-flowing hot spring water, a kitchen, and a private terrace, allowing guests to spend luxurious time gazing at the great nature of Niseko throughout the seasons. This inn is a relocated folk house from Aizu, built during the Edo period, beautifully fusing historical architecture with modern design. Artworks such as contemporary ceramics, paintings, and sculptures are displayed throughout the building, offering a new style of accommodation experience called 'Gallery Stay.' Craftsmanshipこだわった職人技 is evident everywhere, from the structure of the old folk house supported by thick oak and cypress beams, sliding doors and door materials made from reclaimed wood, to lead kintsugi applied to column joints. The private gallery displays artworks collected from around the world, along with art pieces created by the owner, Shouya Grigg himself. The adjacent old folk house gallery restaurant 'Somoza' offers original course meals using local Hokkaido ingredients and ingredients from their own garden. Guests can savor the seasonal tastes of Hokkaido along with local sake such as wine, craft beer, and whiskey. The inn is located within the forest of Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Kaigan Quasi-National Park, offering views of Mt. Yotei and the Niseko mountain range. From the large windows of the guest rooms, guests can enjoy a panoramic view of nature changing with time, enjoying the scenery of the four seasons. It is an inn recommended for those who want to refresh mind and body in a special space where Japanese tradition and contemporary art merge.